When we stop struggling, we float.
Stepping into new territories and taking new actions often leave us feeling ‘out of our depth.’ It’s a natural experience, yet it’s wrapped in fear. Letting go of what we know to move into something unfamiliar—even if it’s something we’ve always wanted or dreamed of being—can be unsettling. It’s like navigating uncharted waters: deep, dark, uncertain, and complex to know where to trust or where to put our energy. This could be starting a new job, moving to a new city, or even starting a new relationship.
Do we swim harder, strain our eyes to see more, head back to shore, or simply let go and float?
Mark Nepo, in his book The Book of Awakening (July 20 entry), offers a profound insight: “When we stop struggling, we float.” But why is it so difficult to trust that we will be held up when we let go? Like many beautiful and spiritual things in life, this is a paradox. And I learned long ago that we often find the Divine within paradoxes. Where two or more things cancel each other out, we see the way to a more significant and expansive experience.
My journey through the 12 Steps for Compulsive Eating revealed these paradoxes. Each step is a contradiction: we admit powerlessness to experience our own power; we surrender the limited nature of our being to experience the expanded nature of our connection with the Divine. Surrendering here doesn’t mean giving up, but rather letting go of the need to control everything and trusting in a higher power. It feels like letting go of all we know to reach for something we can’t yet see, know, or feel. But when we finally give ourselves to this, letting go, we find ourselves.
In many ways, many of us are experiencing this significant shedding of who we have been and what we have known in order to reach for something we cannot yet understand or explain. This tension between surrendering and holding on for dear life shows up in our language, choices, health, and overall well-being. How much longer will we be willing to maintain this tension before we collapse back into the comfort of what is known and familiar? When we’re out in the cold winds, we just want the comfort of our own bed, don’t we?
But what if we could find the willingness—not courage, but willingness—to let go and lean into that desire for what is calling us? Courage often implies overcoming fear, while willingness is about being open and receptive to the unknown. What would that be like? Now might be the perfect time to listen inwardly and let go.
“Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”
– Eckhart Tolle
Consider these questions for reflection:
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- When was the last time you felt like you were swimming in uncharted waters?
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- What comes up for you when you are faced with uncertainty?
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- What holds you back from letting go and floating?
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- How might surrendering to the unknown bring you closer to your true self?
Take a moment to reflect on these questions. Allow yourself the space to acknowledge the fear, uncertainty, and potential for profound discovery and growth. When we let go, we find the strength to float and the courage to embrace the journey ahead.
Are you looking for a partner in charting your course through uncertainty?
Schedule a one-hour clarity session with me if you need support in the surrender process. Together, we can find the clarity and action steps that invite willingness and movement in the direction your soul is taking you. Let’s embark on this journey together and discover the profound possibilities that await. (Use code NEW2024 to get $20 off your first session)